Who better to write a series of novels based on a forensic anthropologist than a real-life forensic anthropologist! In Devil Bones we follow Dr. Temperance Brennan in Kathy Reichs’ latest thriller. In all eleven of the novels featuring Brennan, she starts out by investigating remains found that might indicate foul play, which leads to her becoming a lot more involved in the case than most investigators do. Most novels are set in both Charlotte, North Carolina, and Montreal, Quebec. Brennan, like Reichs herself, works for the local government for both these cities. Brennan's ex-husband and daughter live in North Carolina, but her more recent romantic life takes place in Montreal.
Television Show: Bones
Even if you haven’t read any of Reichs’ novels, you may recognize either of the above names from the television series Bones. The show, which is based on Reichs’ life and writing, actually depicts forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan, who moonlights as an author of novels about character Kathy Reichs. The show is currently on its fourth season on the FOX network. The series, however, is not based on the novels.
Devil Bones
Devil Bones starts out with Dr. Brennan investigating some bones and cauldrons found in a basement of an old home. Brennan, along with police Detective "Skinny" Slidell, try to figure out who owns the house and who lived in it most recently. The scene hints at voodoo rituals, so Brennan must determine if the bones were used in a sacrifice. She must also figure out how old the bones are. Soon other dead bodies start popping up, and Brennan's left trying to decide if they are all connected to the original set of bones.
In addition to voodoo, Brennan is exposed to Wicca. She learns that it is a peaceful religion, and its practitioners are not likely suspects of any of the murders. Reichs factually presents the religions, as she does with the anthropological aspects of the murders. Through the investigation, Brennan and Slidell find out that one of the murder victims has been dabbling in male prostitution. When one of the police officers investigating the case is murdered, things become a lot more personal.
Brennan's Personal Life
As if dealing with several murders isn't enough to keep Brennan busy, her ex-boyfriend Andrew Ryan pops back into her life. He has split with the woman for whom he left Brennan, so the reader wonders if she and Ryan will be getting back together. She also has a potential new love interest in Charlie Hunt, a local attorney with whom Brennan went to high school. She has some fights with her daughter Katy, but the two stay on good terms. In fact, it is Katy who is instrumental in setting Brennan up on a date with Hunt.
All of Reichs' novels follow a similar formula, and this one is no different. It works well as a stand-alone novel, since nothing major happens to Brennan outside of the case she is investigating. Fans of Reichs will enjoy learning more about Brennan's life, and figuring out a new case, but new readers should definitely start at the beginning of the Temperance Brennan novels with Deja Dead.
Devil Bones was published in hardcover by Scribner on August 26, 2008. The ISBN is 0743294386 and the ISBN-13 is 978-0743294386.
Allison Russo - Allison Russo holds a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Computer Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Most recently she ...
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